The life of Jimmy Q – James Edward Quaintance III's story

James Edward Quaintance III is not a normal guy; he’s an amazing mix of everything good in this world.

I would like to take total credit for the title of this article, but it’s actually inspired by his Instagram account. How very modern of me! The real reason I’m writing about James Quaintance is that I’m not so secretly hoping all that cool might be contagious.

So let me hit you with some prime quality storytelling!

 
James Edward Quaintance III or Jimmy Q (even his name is great) is a pro skater, model, tattoo artist and rock star born in Los Angeles. A bit of an over-achiever, aren't we? 

Originally a very appreciated pro-skater with mad skills in that area, Jimmy Q started modeling (2011) and immediately made an impression with his very particular look. Being born in Venice (also known as Dog Town), the center of all things skateboarding, paid off for James in more ways than one.

He was signed by Select models and walked the runway in major shows (Oliver Spencer, Pringle of Scotland) while also appearing in numerous magazines (Nylon, Huge, Wylder, lookbook for Beautiful Fül). Not to mention he’s a God on Tumblr and Pinterest which, let’s face it, it’s all that really matters.

James obviously loves tattoos and he is a walking talking piece of art and a promoter of the FreshTrends culture that’s so big in LA. He doesn’t only proudly showcase his tattoos, but he also practices - he's a professional tattoo artist himself.   

And there’s also the now defunct, but once epic love story with Pippa Holland who just happens to be equally as unique and beautiful. They started dating after talking for months and months on Facebook, until that wasn’t enough anymore so they decided that they had to be together. And even though they had never met in person until then, he flew to England from Venice and so they got together ever since for a while. Heartwarming, right? I bet many of you can relate!

Everybody thought those two were made for each other. Many dedicated Tumblr Pages and Pinterest boards were created to celebrate this perfect union of hotness and tattoos. They even appeared together in the video for Bleach Blood’s Anything Anything song were they played two strangers who get very cozy in a bar, only to realize they just imagined everything. Don’t you just hate that? Can't tell you how many times I thought I was making out with very hot guys and then I woke up and had to face reality.:))))

They apparently split up after four years of relationship, but I couldn’t find out more which, I’m not going to lie, it’s infuriating. I’m really good at digging shit out on the internet, but I lost my patience trying to find out what the status of their relationship is. The rumor was Pippa dumped him, but I couldn’t bet my life on it. They are still friends though, which gives you hope! Pippa seems to have dated Rikki Hall at one point (she clearly has a type), but it wasn’t long lived since he moved on to Lauren Capulet and then Kelly Osbourne.

 Ricki Hall and Pippa Holland

James Edward Quaintance III and Pippa Holland

Jimmy Q is the coolest guy in town, his attitude screams “I don’t really give a damn”, he has that old school badass presence about him, carries himself like a rock star and has the wardrobe to back it up.

I’m always getting a modern Elvis meets James Dean vibe with him – it must be that sick hair and his signature style slim jeans and leather jackets or slick suites that look amazing against his tattoos. Based on my thorough research he is pretty much addicted to cigarettes and likes jewelry as much as most girls do. He also loves puppies and kittens!!!

James Edward Quaintance III is also the vocalist of a punk rock band called Former Lovers. I don’t know how much success he has with his band as they haven’t updated their band Facebook page singe October 2012, but hopefully they are just too busy to do it (probably not though).

I really like this guy since he seems like a truly nice person, a well grounded man that‘s still rooted in reality even though he is so darn handsome, successful and talented!  

   Photos: 1, 2

How do you like mister Jimmy Q? What type of guys or girls are you into?

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Pin up girls and pin up tattoos – a short history

While I’m too indecisive and afraid of commitment to actually get a serious tattoo, I’m still very much in love with the eccentricity and beauty of tattoos, which is way I prepared a new article in the series dedicated to them. 

  

Body jewelry on the other hand have the temporary component on their side and are something I could  realistically consider which is way I sometime spend unjustified  amounts of time on sites like freshtrends. I'm pretty sure in a another live I was one of those wonderful, brave people covered in tattoos form head to toe - or that's what I tell myself to justify my long time obsession for these cool adornments.

Getting back to tattoos – today we’re covering the influence of the emblematic pin ups on this controversial form of art. It all started in the nineteenth century with the actresses and burlesque performers who used photos, posters and calendars to promote themselves. 

With time the term pin-up was used to describe women who were so attractive and beautiful that you would want to pin their photo to your walls.

 

The pin up tattoos were extremely popular during the first and second world wars when soldiers used to get these types of tattoo before going to the battle fields. However the pin-up tattoos, considered part of the retro trend, have become popular with more than just soldiers and sailors. 

Betty Grable is known as the original pin up girl and her iconic bathing suit poster (included in the “100 Photos that Changed the World” list made by Life magazine), transformed her from a movie star to the number one pin up girl.

She was known for having the most beautiful legs in Hollywood and the movie studios didn’t think twice to widely distribute posters and photos with her “million dollar legs” (and that was more than just a figure of speech as her studio insured her legs for 1 million dollars). 

 Even now, her famous pose in a swimsuit with her hands on her hips, looking back over her shoulder is used as a model for tattoo art.

But Betty Garbles fame was nothing compared with what Bettie Page achieved. Even today she is known (she was famous in the 1950s and 1980s), as the queen of all pin up girls. She was the first real life pin up model to be considered as good as the artwork (mainly drawings and paintings), made by artists back then. The artwork portrayed idealized versions of what was considered as particularly beautiful or attractive in a woman.

Pin up girl have a pretty long history when it comes to tattoos - they are part of the original Old School tattoo design. The Old School characteristics are still kept in the new designs but they are combined with New School style. While the designs are still iconic, the theme of pin-ups has evolved and still continue to do so.

There are different characteristics that can be used in a pin-up girl tattoo: you can choose an 1890’s pin up inspired girl or a modern version. In vintage pin-up tattoos the girls are exposed in sexy positions, wearing swim suits, hula girl costumes, navy uniforms, patriotic or sailor outfits, while today’s pin-up girl tattoos copy the old school design but they transform the style into a current one. 

The modern day pin-up has become more scandalous, wearing outfits that leave little to the imagination or venturing into bizarre areas like zombie land. Pin up zombies have become quite popular; they still look like the old ones but have the characteristics of zombies: weird colors like green or red. Basically an Old School pinup tends to be somewhat like a cartoon while the New School tattoos are more realistic in style.

 

The tattoo design is usually based on vintage pin-up girl posters. The details have to be very accurate with full make-up, big eyelashes, red lipstick, smoky eyes and perfect hairstyles. 

 

No matter what kind of pin up you go for in a tattoo: the original Bettie, the classic old sailor pin up girl with anchor, cartoon or photo, these tattoo designs are making a comeback and in a big way. It’s true that pin up tattoos never really got out of style, because let’s face it, beautiful girls and tattoos can never do that!

In fact the modern pin up girl is as popular now as it was in the 50`s and if you don’t believe that just look at the popularity of Dita Von Teese and other burlesque models.

There are so many options and variations on this theme that choosing the right tattoo can be really challenging. The placement it’s also essential, being one of the most important aspects of getting a tattoo.

As for the meaning of this tattoo it all depends on the person getting inked. It can be a symbol of femininity, old school ideals, female empowerment or just a picture of a beautiful woman. 

   Photos: 1, 2, collages made by Sara

Any of you  would ever consider a pin up tattoo? It's the pin up look something you're into or not so much?

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I know you down to the core

One lesson I learned this weekend is that I should never leave the house without covering myself head to toe in sunscreen. My skin is not meant for natural tanning or any kind of direct contact with the elements. There’s nothing like a serious sunburn to get some common sense into me. Again!!!

Another thing is I really dislike people that say no to things and experiences without giving them a chance. I love tattoos and body jewelry even though I don’t have any – it’s one of the Fresh Trends I have always been into and this predilection of mine has only grown in intensity with time.

Anybody who said they hate this and that has obviously never seen tattoos, red hair or piercings on the right person! Looking a bit different, taking decision that not everybody will is a good thing, you don’t have to do what everybody else does, wears and thinks only to feel normal. You see, I’m not unreasonable and here are my arguments (because no one in his right mind would ever say no to these):

Yes, I will go out with you, don't frown that pretty face of yours!:)))

 This comes directly from Sherlock Holmes, so you better listen!

A modern Betty Page with tattoos and cat like behavior!

 Classics: a retro Mercedes SL190 convertible and a hot guy with beard and tattoos!

 Striking redhead wearing a flower crown 'cause that's what queens do!

Tattooed Elvis look-a-like! Speechless!

Photos

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Tattoo art – the deer and the stag

The series of articles exploring my obsession with tattoos continues! This one is about very particular animal tattoos involving deers, antlers and stags.

Tattoos are not just beautiful but they are also meaningful. Tattoos talk. They send a message; they tell a story about you, they are very personal and complicated. From all the tattoos I’ve ever considered at some point in my life, a deer tattoo or a stag tattoo always seemed like a good choice. 

So I decided to search and find the meaning behind some of my favorite tattoo ideas as I may just woman up and go for it. I’m the kind of person that has to know everything that it’s to know about a thing before doing it so this is me getting ride of all the excuses that I could come up with along the way.

  Amazing arm stag and a colorful detailed roebuck

Detail of a romantic framed  hart!

 Two wonderful chest pieces: two stags fighting in a clash of antlers (left), a colorful fawn over a hunter's trophy with birds and jewelry (beautiful contrast)

The deer is one of the oldest ancient animal symbols. Many cultures, all over the world associate the deer with a number of different legends and myths for thousands of years. Some civilizations idolatrize them The stag was the symbol of the sun in many religions. Power and good fortune are the most common associations that people make with a deer or a buck.

As a tattoo the deer also holds deep symbolic value. The many variations of a deer tattoo include the stag, the buck, white tail (the good), black tail (danger and death) , the deer skull tattoo (one of the more popular choices). 

The deer is one of the few animals that can represent both masculinity and femininity but the meanings associated with the male and female deer are different. The Stag is usually used as a symbol of power, spirituality, masculinity and re-growth while the doe is associated with femininity, fertility, beauty, peace, grace and innocence.

The stag gentleman tattoo on her arm looks very cool! Deer tattoos can also mean rejuvenation and rebirth (right).

 

The most popular tattoo design when it comes to deer’s is the hart or the male deer. The buck value is based on the size of its antlers, that’s why most of the times the tattoo portrays a 12 point horn buck, considered one of the highest trophies one can have. Another popular tattoo design is the deer skull tattoo. This tattoo is especially popular among hunters. Many consider deer hunting as a privilege and are grateful for what the deer gives them. 

At a symbolic level this tattoo art represents life and death. Deer skull tattoos have become very popular in recent years. As all skull tattoos this one is also controversial with people finding them macabre or just plain wrong. I don’t share this view! It’s true that I would not get one for myself, it’s just not my style but I have seen tattoo designs with skull stags truly unique.  

These skull antlers tattoos are great and the placement  makes them really hot as well!

Big chest pieces (the stag on the left is really beautifully drawn - I love all the romantic embellishments - loos like a page from an story book I used to have as a kid)

 

One tattoo that women usually go for in the deer variation is the Bambi tattoo. This is seen like a cute, girly tattoo and not a tattoo made with symbolic reasons. Not my style either!

The size of the tattoo is also very important. I’m sure any tattoo artist would recommend the bigger the better especially in this case. The most impressive stag tattoo designs I have seen were big, as the antlers take a lot of space. 

I really like all the positive meaning that a deer tattoo has. I have seen and heard so many people that just get tattoos impulsively and they end up regretting their choice along the way because even with all the tattoo removal techniques out there (even the sound of laser tattoo removal frightens me), not all tattoos can be fixed. So choose carefully because this is a life long decision and you don’t want any regrets. Just make sure it’s what you want or start with some temporary tattoos and work your way up from there.   

 I love this playful, simple roestag tattoo and its placement!

 

 Photos, collages made by Sara

What do you think? Any favorites?

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